Gilbert M. Stack's Blog, page 99

Today in History: George Washington Takes Command

On this day (May 10) in 1775 George Washington was given command of the Continental Army. Washington didn't start out as a great strategist (he liked overly complicated maneuvers that were often beyond the training of his troops) but he was highly charismatic and he kept his army together over the seven years of the war, eventually adopting the Fabian tactics which wore down the British.

Today in History: A German Code Book

On this day (May 9) in 1941, Britain captured the Nazi submarine U-110 and gained possession of her Short Signal Book and one of Germany’s Enigma Machines. This coup would eventually permit Britain to crack many German codes, greatly enhancing their ability to fight World War II.

Today in History: Gary Hart

On this day (May Eight) in 1987, Gary Hart withdrew from the democratic presidential race after the media published pictures of him with Donna Rice. Perhaps it wasn't the best election campaign strategy to challenge the media to prove he was having an affair.

Today in History; Gary Hart

On this day (May Eight) in 1987, Gary Hart withdrew from the democratic presidential race after the media published pictures of him with Donna Rice. Perhaps it wasn't the best election campaign strategy to challenge the media to prove he was having an affair.

Today in History: Joan of Arc

On this day (May 7) in 1429, Joan of Arc broke the English siege of Orleans. Joan is one of the most fascinating figures in all of history. Her accomplishments are very difficult to explain--short of divine intervention, of course. Princes and important nobles were not in the habit of listening to illiterate female peasants.

Today in History: The Court of the Sun King

On this day (May 6) in 1682, Louis XIV moved his court to his new palace at Versailles. This palace, the court of the “Sun King”, became a symbol of royal wealth and power throughout Europe. It also pulled the court out of Paris and gave the king some distance from the Parisian mobs. At great expense, the palace has been restored to its seventeenth century glory and is open to the public as a museum.

The First Snows Now Available for Pre-Order at 25% Off the Cover Price

The First Snows, the second novel in my Winterhaven series, is now available for pre-order at 25% off the cover price.

Sane men spend the winter season bundled up in their homes near the fire praying for spring to come, so insanity must be on the rise in Winterhaven. With the tenuous unity of the Great Lords fractured by the failures of the Duke’s army in the west and the accusations of heresy against his son, new armies are secretly mobilizing even in this bitterest of seasons. Yet can even knights as great as William Lord Tavistock and Sir Conn of Edgefield lead armies to victory after the first snows have fallen?

Today in History: Anne Boleyn Charged with Treason

On this day (May 2) in 1536, King Henry VIII charged his second wife, Anne Boleyn, with treason, adultery, incest and witchcraft as he maneuvered to get rid of her in his continuing efforts to get himself a male heir. There’s no real reason to think that Anne was guilty of any of these charges.

Today in New Orleans: The Union Captured New Orleans

On this day (April 29) in 1862, New Orleans was captured by Union forces during the Civil War. New Orleans was the most important port in the south, but the Confederate States individually refused to send adequate troops to defend it, preferring to keep their soldiers closer to home. Even within the city, resources needed for the defense were spent by private individuals creating privateers which would attempt to turn a profit by preying on union shipping. So the Union was able to grab New Orleans and cut off one of the Confederacy’s vital links to the rest of the world.

Today in History: Benito Mussolini Executed

On this day (April Twenty-Eight) in 1945, Benito Mussolini was executed by firing squad by members of the Italian Resistance.